What's happening
This bill allows local governments to grant property tax exemptions to veterans still in active service who otherwise qualify.
Why it matters
Expands property tax relief to active duty veterans. This change allows local governments to extend property tax exemptions—previously available only to discharged veterans—to those who are still serving, helping active duty service members manage the high costs of homeownership.
Empowers local decision-making. The bill gives individual counties, cities, towns, and villages the authority to make this exemption available, meaning communities can tailor benefits to local veteran populations and fiscal situations.
Recognizes ongoing military service. By including veterans who are still actively serving, the legislation acknowledges the sacrifices of current service members, not just those who have already completed their service, potentially boosting morale and retention.
May influence local tax bases. If widely adopted, the exemption could slightly reduce property tax revenues for local governments, potentially affecting funding for services, but also demonstrating community support for the military.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Veteran Tax Exemptions
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 61
History
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to veterans' affairs
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1946
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Expand Veteran Tax Exemption
In Assembly Committee · Veterans' Affairs · Sponsor Robin Schimminger
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2596
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 13, 2017
Introduced by Sens. RANZENHOFER, DeFRANCISCO, FUNKE, GALLIVAN, GOLDEN, LARKIN, LAVALLE, MARCHIONE, MURPHY, ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
AN ACT to amend the real property tax law, in relation to veteran eligibility for real property tax exemptions
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 458-a of the real property tax law is amended by adding a new paragraph (b-1) to read as follows:
(b-1) Each county, city, town or village may adopt a local law to authorize veterans who have not been discharged or released from a current, subsequent military service period, but otherwise qualify for both exemptions provided for by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision, to receive both exemptions.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06133-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to veteran eligibility for real property tax exemptions
Summary of provisions
This bill adds a new paragraph b-1 to subdivision 2 of section 458-a of the Real Property Tax Law, which permits each county, city, town or village to adopt a local law to authorize veterans who have not been discharged or released from a current, subsequent military service, but who would otherwise qualify for both the exemptions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision 2 of section 458-a to receive both exemptions.
Purpose & justification
This bill permits municipalities to enact a local law to grant the additional combat veteran exemption to persons who have been discharged from the service (enabling them to receive the regular veteran exemption), then re-enlisted, served in combat, and are now returned and reside in New York State, but have not yet been again discharged.
The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have led to many veterans choosing to return to the military and serve in combat. Soldiers who have returned to New York from combat, but have not yet been discharged from service, have found that although they are eligible for the regular 15% veteran exemption under 458-a 2(a) as a result of their earlier discharge, they are not eligible for the additional 10% combat exemption under 458-a 2(b) because they have not been discharged from their subsequent service. Local taxing authorities should be allowed to offer this combat exemption to these soldiers to honor their service to their country.
Prior legislative history
2007-08 - S.2966/A.5934 RULES/Veterans Affairs 2009-10 - S .3015/A.10346 -- VETERANS/Veterans Affairs 2011-12 - S.3222/A.8154 -- PASSED SENATE/Veterans Affairs 2013-14 - S.1435/A.4162 - PASSED SENATE/Veterans Affairs 2015-16 - S.870/A5997 - PASSED SENATE/Veterans Affairs
Fiscal implications
No cost to the state, exemption is offered at local option.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.